Editing Helmuth Weidling (section)

===Surrender to Chuikov===
[[File:Gedenktafel Schulenburgring 2 (Templ) Berliner Kapitulation.JPG|thumb|right|Memorial plaque commemorating the capitulation in Berlin. "This building was the headquarters of Marshal Chuikov, commander of the Soviet 8th Guards Army. Here, on May 2, 1945, General Weidling, as commander of the Berlin Defence Area, signed the order for all German forces in Berlin to cease hostilities immediately. For Berlin, this meant the end of the war."]]
On 2 May, Weidling had his Chief-of-Staff, [[Theodor von Dufving]], arrange a meeting with Chuikov. Weidling told the Soviets about the suicides of Hitler and Goebbels, and Chuikov demanded complete capitulation.{{sfn|Dollinger|1997|p=240}}

Pursuant to Chuikov and [[Vasily Sokolovsky]]'s direction, Weidling put his surrender order in writing. The document, written by Weidling, read as follows:

{{quote|On 30 April 1945, the Führer committed suicide, and thus abandoned those who had sworn loyalty to him. According to the Führer's order, you German soldiers would have had to go on fighting for Berlin despite the fact that our ammunition has run out and despite the general situation which makes our further resistance meaningless. I order the immediate cessation of resistance. Every hour you keep on fighting prolongs the suffering of the civilians in Berlin and of our wounded. Together with the commander-in-chief of the Soviet forces I order you to stop fighting immediately. WEIDLING, General of Artillery, former District Commandant in the defence of Berlin{{sfn|Dollinger|1997|p=240}}}}

The meeting between Weidling and Chuikov ended at 8:23&nbsp;am on 2 May 1945.{{sfn|Beevor|2002|p=386}}